Apparatus for the accurate weight casting of metal plates

ABSTRACT

The apparatus includes a trough arranged to receive the melt material from a furnace which is tilted to dispense a selected quantity and deliver it along the trough into a first large sized vessel which is supported on a differential weighing apparatus. The large sized vessel is then selectively tilted either to the left or to the right in order to pour a quantity of the melt into a smaller size vessel. The quantity poured is equivalent to the weight of the anode to be cast. The smaller size vessel also is supported on a differential weighing apparatus, and, when the required quantity of metal is filled into the small sized vessel, it is tilted to pour the material into a casting mold. Each small size vessel is associated with a casting wheel which has a plurality of molds with openings adjacent the periphery thereof and which are selectively aligned with the smaller size vessels in succession in order to receive a charge of the melt material.

Kreuz et al.

[4 1 Sept. 3,1974

[ APPARATUS FOR THEACCURATE WEIGHT CASTING OF METAL PLATES [75] Inventors: O tto Kreuz, Duisburg; Stephan Raab, Essen, both of Germany [62] Division of Ser. No. 62,051, Aug. 7, 1970,

abandoned.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 12, 1970 Germany 2011698 [52] US. Cl 164/155, 164/266, 164/326 [51] Int. Cl..... B22d 1/02, B22d 41/06, B22d 47/00 [58] Field of Search 164/155, 154, 337, 326,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1909 Brugrnann 164/326 5/1940. .Lindner et al. 164/337 X 4/1959 Deakins et al 164/155 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 658,990 l/1965, Belgium 164/326 Primary Examiner-Robert D. Baldwin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McGlew and Tuttle [57] ABSTRACT The apparatus includes a trough arranged to receive the melt material from a furnace which is tilted to dispense a selected quantity and deliver it along the trough into a first large sized vessel which is supported on a differential weighing apparatus. The large sized vessel is then selectively tilted either to the left or to the right in order to pour a quantity of the melt into a sm'aller'size vessel. The quantity poured is equivalent to the weight of the anode to'be cast. 'The'smaller size vessel also is 'supportedon a differential weighing apparatus, and, when the required quantity of metal is filled into the small sized vessel, it istilted to pour the material into a casting mold. Each-small size vessel is associated with a casting wheel which has a plurality of molds with openings adjacent the periphery thereof and which are selectively aligned withthe smaller size vessels in succession in order to receive a charge of the 'melt material. I

- 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDSEP 3M4 3.888.048

SHEET 20$ 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to an-apparatus for casting metal plates, and in particular, to a new and useful apparatus for the accurate weight casting of metal plates, in particular of copper anode plates.

One of the difficulties in casting, particularly copper anode plates, is the control of the precise amount of liquid metal for casting which is tapped from a smelting furnace, collected, weighed, and then poured into respective casting molds as a dosed partial quantity which is added in controlled timing steps in accordance with the differential weighing of the melt material. The dosing of the liquid metal is bound to the process of interrupting and releasing the casting flow of the melt. The discontinuity of flow is in the nature of the process. In fractions of seconds there developed varying volumetric quantities of released casting metal. For copper anode plates the absolute size of the casting quantity is not of primary importance but the maintenance of a selected weight value once chosen is very important. However, it is not possible either to make the pouring process so reproducible that an odd, yet uniform, quantity of casting metal flows into the casting mold each time. The reasons are to be found in a multiplicity of constantly changing physical values. In addition, the influence of the most economical production method also plays a complicating roll in deciding the ultimate manner in which the casting is to take place. The high production rate demanded makes short cycling times of the casting wheels, which are employed for indexing the various molds into association with a casting supply, mandatory. The uneven operation of the smelting furnace with its uncontrolable tapping flow must be converted into partial quantities of thesame size and uniform cycling times. In view of all these conditions, endeavors to arrive at acceptably close weight tolerances required complicated regulating circuits and required long regulating distances.

The specialist in the field has, as a prototype, the known solution with a regulating circuit which begins with the determination of a tare weight. After the metal is tapped from the furnace, the actual weight isdetermined and the weight of the filled casting mold is superposed, as a parameter, to give a control influence impulse to a control instrument for the next tapping operation. This controls the'casting time and the pouring ladles angle of inclination. However, it is only possible to obtain a control impulse from one ormore measurements which have taken place earlier. Ultimately the result of the measurement of one operation is applied to the next following one which causes errors for sev-.

eral reasons. Sources of errors are temperature-fluctuations of the casting metal, the degree to whichthe collecting vessel is filled, and the constantly repeating tare measurements. A determination of the gross weight can,

tion with the metal level in motionis carried out. In any event the casting mold must be lifted from its bearings for weighing. Considering the weights of 4,000 kp per casting mold any measuring operation in such a system is associated with time losses and prevents the operation at short cycle times. From the standpoint of economical production therefore a measuring operation which greatly increases the production time is not war- 1 ranted.

A discontinuous operating mode of the smelting furnaces is not desirable butit is hard to avoid. The discharging casting metal mixes incompletely with metal already present in the collecting vessel, and therefore, the parameter of the degree to which it is filled takes into account no temperature values. A control impulse triggering the accelerations and decelerations required for tilting the vessel forwardly and backwardly is constantly given without consideration of the change of viscosity of the casting metal. Not all of the interferring values can be picked up in the known method and in addition the known methods must operate with long time intervals forobtaining the measuring values. Time is wasted due'to the fact that the various test values can be obtained only as a function of the operatingmode of the casting wheel containing the casting molds. Regulation to a desired nominal weight therefore, takes place with retardations so that several plates will be made with tolerances which exceed specifications. When the tolerance range is finally reached a new correction must be reckoned'with because the initial values have meanwhile changed again. Then it is necessary for a new regulating process to start.

In accordance with the present invention, the above deficiencies are overcome and the accuracy of pouring is increased while the regulation operation is greatly simplified. In particular, less inertia power is required for regulating the sequence of movement of the molds with the casting wheel. The present invention includes a better method for the accurate weighing of the casting metal for forming the plates. The nominal weight of the metal plates is determined prior-to the pouring of the casting metal into acasting mold regardless of the actual weight of a previously cast metal plate. This is done by weighing an absolutely setablepartial quantity from a total quantity amounting to two or three times the partial quantity. The invention may be'used without measuring the tare or gross weight of the casting mold; This has been done by a realization that a cast metal plate can experience no further weight modification if it is already beyond tolerance range and'therefore the best that can be done with it is to remelt it.' The absolute tapping of a nominal quantity can be accomplished accurately enough by traditional means but it is particularly advantageous in this processof'the invention to.

start from a small quantity which makes hitherto encountered inaccuracies which are involved in the re leasing of the casting flow or in the stopping of the casting flow shrink to minimum values. It was foundthat it is advantageousto select the small quantity in order tov avoid too great temperature losses on the one hand and also because it is suitable in order to reduce the greatmass accelerations and decelerations which would have been required. i

The apparatus of the invention includes a smelting furnace which is mounted for tilting in order to effect the tapping thereof. The weight of thelarge size collecting vessel arranged in association with thesmelting furnace, including the casting metal which is contained therein, is measured by means of force analyzers, upon which the vessel is supported; A particularly favorable arrangement is obtained by at least two collecting vesconsidered, several vessels of successively smaller size.

may be disposed between the smelting furnace and the casting wheels. The transfer error from the collecting vessel to the final vessel for filling each mold becomes smaller and smaller because the volumes collected are decreasing and the respective motions of the smaller vessels for transferring can be executed more precisely.

The motion of the center of gravity of the smelted mass exerts influences upon the accelerating and decelerating forces. In the invention this is avoided by the use of collecting vessels for each stage which are mounted on pivotal frames for easy pivotal movement and which are lined with masonry material to-permit the retention of heat and the heating of the melt therein. Each vessel is advantageously supported on a column which is arranged beneaththe tilting frame. The column is supported on a force analyzer and sustained in an upright position by rod elements which are pivoted to the frame and to the column and which are arranged around its circumference to hold it in a-uniform position. The suspension of the individual collect ing vessels on the column permits vertical motion only. Consequently, the weight rests free of transverse forces on the base area. Movements in a horizontal direction during the pouring operation or while refilling are impossible. The attitude of the vessel always remains unchanged. A tilting drive however, is connected to each vessel and it comprises a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder which is linked to the vessel and to the supporting frame. In this manner the tilting drive is mobile and participates in the vertical motions possible during the weighing. Accurate weighing is further accomplished by a single force analyzer disposed under thecolumn.

The apparatus also advantageously includes a tilting frame which comprises two side yoke members which are pivotally supported centrally on pivot pins in the tilting drive and which also includes one or more cross members providing a cradle for receiving each vessel.

The invention advantages may be expanded and imvolume collecting vessel between the two casting wheels and the small collecting vessels which are provided for pouring into each casting wheel, it is possible to pour the metal into one casting wheel while the other small vessel is being filled from the larger vessel. From the standpoint of heat economy the casting metal remains in the big collecting vessel for only a short period of time. The heat losses are therefor accordingly low. Additional heaters of course may be provided with each vessel as desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ap-' paratus for casting which includes at least one casting wheel having a plurality of casting molds thereon which may be indexed past a filling station and including a small size melt receiving vessel arranged at the filling station and in a position to receive melt material from a supply thereof, said small size vessel being supported on a force analyzer to permit determination of the weight of the melt material which is to be poured into the casting and being supported on a tilt frame having a tilting drive for effecting the pouring at a controlled rate and in a controlled amount.

A further object of the invention is to provide a casting apparatus which includes a plurality of rotatable.

casting wheels each having a plurality of casting molds thereon with filling openings arranged adjacent the peripheries which may be indexed past a filling station, the filling station for 'each casting mold including a force analyzer supporting a tilt frame on which is positioned a small size melt receiving vessel, and further including'a supporting frame having a force analyzer for supporting a larger size vessel which may be tilted in order to pour selectively into each of the smaller size vessels, the large. size vessel being associated with means for delivering a quantity of melt material thereto. I

A further object of the invention is to provide anapparatus for casting particularly anode plates which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the' claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and'described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS scale of a small size casting vessel and its associatedmounting; and

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises a casting apparatus particularly for forming anode plates which includes a smelting furnace 1 which is rotatably supported to permit it 16. 3 is a section taken along the line- III-Ill of FIG.

to be selectively oriented for discharging melted casting liquid from a tapping hole or opening 2 into a chute 3 for delivery through a discharge end 4 into a large size collecting vessel generally designated 5. The vessel 5 includes a pouring spout 6 and a pouring spout 7 at respective opposite ends and it is supported in a tilting frame or cradle generally designated 72 which is pivotally supported on journals 54 on a bearing pedestal 53 in a manner permitting the selected downward and upward tilting of each pouring spout 6 and 7 in order to permit selective pouring into one or the other two col lecting vessels 8 and 9 which are arranged adjacent the respective spout ends.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the actual dosing of the melt material is done from the small vessels 8 and 9 with the vessel 8 being arranged on a tilt stand 22 adjacent a casting wheel 10 and the vessel 8 being arranged on a tilt stand 22' in a position for filling the casting molds l3 and 12, respectively, which are mounted on a casting wheel 11. The casting wheels 10 and 11 have a plurality of casting molds l2 and 13 (only one of which is shown) which may be of different size or shape if desired. The cavities 14 and 15 of the molds l2 and 13, respectively, match the shape of the copper anode plates which are to be formed by the casting device of the present invention. Such copper anode plates which are formed are subsequently processed in an electrolysis bath. While only onecasting mold is shown for each casting'wheel, the molds are generally distributed in the areas defined between the radial lines l6, 17, 18, 19, and on each casting wheel.

The large collecting vessel 5 has a substantially greater payload capacity than the small'collecting vessels 8 and 9 and the capacity of the larger vessel may be approximately 3 /2 tons while the capacity of the small collecting vessel 8 or 9 may be about600 kp.

As best indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the smaller size vessels 8 and 9 include a single pouring spout 24 and have an interior partially circular bottom wall 23 which runs in the tilting direction. I

The tilting frame 22 of each small collecting vessel 8 and 9 is supported by a column 25 and it includes tilting bearing 26 which support tilt pins 27 on each side of the vessel. The pins are rigidly attached to the shell 28.

A projection 29 is found either on the shell 28 or a cradle 72 for the vessel 8 or 9. A tilting drive 33 includes a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder combination including a cylinder 34 and a piston 35 having a rod portion" which is connected to the projection 29 and to a projection 30 of the frame 22. The base of the column 25 rests on a force analyzer 38 which in turn rests on a foundation 39 which is supported on feet'40 of the mill floor 4l. The foundation 39 also supports the frame 42 which comprises several uprights 43 and two superposed rings 44 and 45. Each'ring supports a projection 46 and 47 respectively which provide a connection joint along with opposite projections 48 and 49 for articulated rods 59. The rods 59 are arranged at equally spaced locations around the periphery of the column 25 and eachis provided with an adjustable turn' buckle. The column 25 can thus be centered inrespect to central axis 50 to thereby determine a position of the small collecting vessel 8 or 9 associated'therewith;

The tilting drive for the large collecting vessel 5 is similar to that of the small collecting vessels 8 and 9. The collecting vessels 5 and 8 and 9 all rest-in associated cradles 72 and 72'-and 72" for the respective vessels 5, 8, and 9 which are constructed with the side members 5l and '52 and the cross members 55. The vessels 5, 8 and 9 are supported without further fastening and engage in their cradle on parts of the pouring spout 24 and around the periphery of the circular portion 23. In the case of the large vessel 5, the cradle 72 is supported on the frame 21 which rests on a frame 56 which in turn rests on several force analyzers 57 and 58 disposed in the corners of the frame. The tilting drive for this vessel is similar to that of the smaller vessels.

The casting operation of the invention is as follows:

Casting metal melt is continuously or intermittently tapped from the smeltingfumace 1 in dependence upon the melting situation atthe time of opera- .tion and in accordance with the operating speed to be effected. The melt is conducted into the collecting vessel 5 through the chute 3. After a sufficient reservoir of melt has been collected in the large vessel 5 it may be continuously heated if desired by burners (not shown). The force analyzers 57 and 58make the content of the large collecting vessel 5 known in as aweight value,for example, kp. A casting metal quantity of approximately 600 kp. is now withdrawn from the large'vessel 5 and poured into a respective '.one of the smaller vessels 8 and 9 by selectively tilting the vessel 5 in order to permit pouring from the spout 6 or 7 as desired. The smaller vessels 8 and 9 may be continuously heated also if desired or necessary.

Pouring from the smaller vessels 8 and 9 into the casting molds 12 or 13 is effected in accordance with the operation of the casting wheels and preferably pouring from one vessel into the associated mold of one casting wheel is carried out when the other casting wheel with its mold is being moved to a place for removal of the individual cast plates. Approximately 200 kp, for example, is poured out of the vessels 9 or 8 during each casting operation. This pouring is effected on the basis of the indication of force analyzers 38 shown in FIG. 2, to measure out exactly 200 kp which is indicated by electrical measuring instruments (not shown). In practice the weighing operation is carried out during thepouring from the small vessel into'the casting mold until 200 kp are removed from the vessel. This value can be determined with greatac'curacy-so that the quantity of metal which is poured into the casting mold is also very accurately determined at 200 kp. In such a process it is immaterial whether the content of the collecting vessel 8 or 9 is 600 or 6.10 kp. It is quite possible that the content may be only 590 kp. Such errors may result by the supply from the large collecting vessel5 into the smaller vessels. This may be due to the fact that even though the force analyzers'57 and 58 call for the pouringof 200 kp. the, acceleration'impulse of Three rods 59 are arranged in the planes of the brackets 46v and 47, respectively.

the tilt drive mechanism was not kept exactly due to the great mass of 3,500 kp. force which is required to accu ate the tilting drive. However, since the quantity of the casting metal contained in thesmall collecting vessels 8 or 9 represents a relatively small mass the errors, in delivering the absolute said quantity of 200 kp. become decidedly smaller. Therefore, when the'final quantity is poured out of the smaller vessel this quantity may be more accurately determined and pouring can be carried out until the precise quantity is measured from the total supply of the much smaller vessels 8 and 9. The method makes it possible to accurately weigh the casting metal for forming the plates without requiring long regulating distances and without any adjusting of the regulating impulse or electrical control devices.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for casting plates of uniform weight, particularly anode plates, comprising a casting apparatus having at least one casting mold, a melt supply for supplying metal melt for casting located at a spaced location from and above said casting mold, an open top large capacity first receiving vessel located adjacent said melt supply in a position to receive melt therefrom and having at least one first receiving vessel pouring spout, first combined mounting and weighing means for tiltably mounting said first vessel and for weighing said first vessel and the melt therein, at least one opentop small capacity second receiving vessel located between said first vessel and said casting mold in a position to underlie said first receiving vessel pouring spout when said first receiving vessel is tilted to pour the melt and having a second receiving vessel pouring spout, second combined mounting and weighing means for tiltably mounting said second receiving vessel and for weighing said-second receiving vessel and the melt therein, said casting mold having an inlet to the mold underlying said second receiving vessels pouring spout, said first receiving vessel being adapted to receive a large quantity of the melt from said supply means which may be accurately weighedtherein, and said first receiving vessel being tiltable to pour a selected quantity into said second receiving vessel wherein said second combined mounting and weighing means provides an accurate measurement of the weight of a smaller quantity of the melt, said second vessel being tiltable to pour a portion of the second quantity into the casting mold in an amount which is accurately determined by said second combined mounting and weighing means, said first and second combined mounting and weighing means comprising first and second columns on which each associated vessel is mounted for vertical movement only, a tilting drive connected to each of said first and second vessels, and a supporting frame adjacent each said column holding said associated vessel in position and carrying said tilting drive.

2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said melt supply comprises a smelting furnace and a delivery trough connected between said smelting furnace and said first receiving vessel.

3. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one casting mold comprises two separate spaced apart casting molds, said at least one second receiving vessel comprising two spaced apart second receiving vessels with one being adjacent each casting mold and each having a second receiving vessel pouring spout which is oriented over the inlet of an adjacent casting mold, said second receiving vessel mounting means being a separate mounting for each of said second receiving vessels permitting independent pouring of the melt from the second receiving vessels".

4. An apparatus, according to claim 3, comprising two rotatable casting devices each having a plurality of circumferentially arranged casting molds which are selectively positionable in respect to each of the separate second receiving vessels.

5. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first and second combined mounting and weighing means each includes a force analyzer supporting said vessels for determining the weight of-said vessels and the melt therein.

6. An apparatus'for casting plates of uniform weight, particularly anode plates, comprising a casting apparatus having at least one casting mold, a melt supply for supplying metal melt for casting located at a spaced location from and above said casting mold, an open top large capacity first receiving vessel located adjacent said melt supply in a position to receive melt therefrom and having at least one first receiving vessel pouring spout, first combined mounting and weighing means for tiltably mounting said first vessel and for weighing said first vessel and the melt therein, at leastone open top small capacity second receiving vessel located between said first vessel and said casting mold in a position to underlie said first receiving vessel pouring spout when said first receiving vessel is tilted to pour the melt and having a second receiving vessel pouring spout, second combined mounting and weighing means for tiltablyv mounting said second receiving vessel and for weighing said second receiving vessel and the melt therein, said casting mold having an inlet to the mold underlying said second receiving vessels pouring spout, said first receiving vessel being adapted to receive a large quantity of the melt from said supply means which may be accurately weighed therein, and said first receiving vessel being tiltable to pour a selected quantity into said second receiving vessel wherein said second combined mounting and weighing means provides an accurate measurement of the weight of a smaller quantity of the melt, said second vessel being tiltable to pour a portion of the second quantity into the casting mold in an amount which is accurately determined by said second combined mounting and weighing means, said first combined mounting and weighing means including a pivotal cradle, a frame pivotally supporting saidcradle and permitting pivoting of said cradle to each side selectively and alternatively, said at least one first receiving vessel pouring spout comprising a pouring spout on each side of said first receiving vessel, said at least one second receiving vessel comprising two separate second receiving vessels one located adjacent each side of said first receiving vessel in a position below 3. respective pouring spout. l

7. An apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said at least one casting mold comprises a separate casting mold adjacent each of said separate second receiving vessels in a position underlying said second receiving vessel pouring spout. 

1. An apparatus for casting plates of uniform weight, particularly anode plates, comprising a casting apparatus having at least one casting mold, a melt supply for supplying metal melt for casting located at a spaced location from and above said casting mold, an open top large capacity first receiving vessel located adjacent said melt supply in a position to receive melt therefrom and having at least one first receiving vessel pouring spout, first combined mounting and weighing means for tiltably mounting said first vessel and for weighing said first vessel and the melt therein, at least one open top small capacity second receiving vessel located between said first vessel and said casting mold in a position to underlie said first receiving vessel pouring spout when said first receiving vessel is tilted to pour the melt and having a second receiving vessel pouring spout, second combined mounting and weighing means for tiltably mounting said second receiving vessel and for weighing said second receiving vessel and the melt therein, said casting mold having an inlet to the mold underlying said second receiving vessel''s pouring spout, said first receiving vessel being adapted to receive a large quantity of the Melt from said supply means which may be accurately weighed therein, and said first receiving vessel being tiltable to pour a selected quantity into said second receiving vessel wherein said second combined mounting and weighing means provides an accurate measurement of the weight of a smaller quantity of the melt, said second vessel being tiltable to pour a portion of the second quantity into the casting mold in an amount which is accurately determined by said second combined mounting and weighing means, said first and second combined mounting and weighing means comprising first and second columns on which each associated vessel is mounted for vertical movement only, a tilting drive connected to each of said first and second vessels, and a supporting frame adjacent each said column holding said associated vessel in position and carrying said tilting drive.
 2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said melt supply comprises a smelting furnace and a delivery trough connected between said smelting furnace and said first receiving vessel.
 3. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one casting mold comprises two separate spaced apart casting molds, said at least one second receiving vessel comprising two spaced apart second receiving vessels with one being adjacent each casting mold and each having a second receiving vessel pouring spout which is oriented over the inlet of an adjacent casting mold, said second receiving vessel mounting means being a separate mounting for each of said second receiving vessels permitting independent pouring of the melt from the second receiving vessels.
 4. An apparatus, according to claim 3, comprising two rotatable casting devices each having a plurality of circumferentially arranged casting molds which are selectively positionable in respect to each of the separate second receiving vessels.
 5. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first and second combined mounting and weighing means each includes a force analyzer supporting said vessels for determining the weight of said vessels and the melt therein.
 6. An apparatus for casting plates of uniform weight, particularly anode plates, comprising a casting apparatus having at least one casting mold, a melt supply for supplying metal melt for casting located at a spaced location from and above said casting mold, an open top large capacity first receiving vessel located adjacent said melt supply in a position to receive melt therefrom and having at least one first receiving vessel pouring spout, first combined mounting and weighing means for tiltably mounting said first vessel and for weighing said first vessel and the melt therein, at least one open top small capacity second receiving vessel located between said first vessel and said casting mold in a position to underlie said first receiving vessel pouring spout when said first receiving vessel is tilted to pour the melt and having a second receiving vessel pouring spout, second combined mounting and weighing means for tiltably mounting said second receiving vessel and for weighing said second receiving vessel and the melt therein, said casting mold having an inlet to the mold underlying said second receiving vessel''s pouring spout, said first receiving vessel being adapted to receive a large quantity of the melt from said supply means which may be accurately weighed therein, and said first receiving vessel being tiltable to pour a selected quantity into said second receiving vessel wherein said second combined mounting and weighing means provides an accurate measurement of the weight of a smaller quantity of the melt, said second vessel being tiltable to pour a portion of the second quantity into the casting mold in an amount which is accurately determined by said second combined mounting and weighing means, said first combined mounting and weighing means including a pivotal cradle, a frame pivotally supporting said cradle and permitting pivoting of said cradle to each side selectively and alternatively, said aT least one first receiving vessel pouring spout comprising a pouring spout on each side of said first receiving vessel, said at least one second receiving vessel comprising two separate second receiving vessels one located adjacent each side of said first receiving vessel in a position below a respective pouring spout.
 7. An apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said at least one casting mold comprises a separate casting mold adjacent each of said separate second receiving vessels in a position underlying said second receiving vessel pouring spout. 